The streaks are headed in opposite directions. The Massachusetts baseball team is on a five-game tear, while Saint Joseph’s, the Minutemen’s guest for three games this weekend, has lost its last four.

That said, neither streak matters much, because the final series of the regular season, which could decide the A-10 East’s top seed, has nothing to do with the past. Should the Hawks take at least two from the Maroon and White this weekend, Rhode Island will claim the East title.

URI also has a three-game set this weekend at Temple. The Owls won two of three against the Minutemen earlier this season.

SJU also has the chance to equal UMass’ conference win total (12), although the Minutemen have six fewer losses against the A-10. However, the Minutemen have already clinched a berth in next week’s Atlantic 10 championship tournament, while the Hawks are in a race for third with Temple.

Both the Hawks and the Owls are sitting on 9-12 conference records, and with only the top three teams from each division earning a spot in the playoffs, the Hawks will be clawing for every game this weekend.

When the series kicks off on Saturday at noon for the first game of a doubleheader, the Maroon and White will have to battle not only the Hawks, but any complacency that comes with a playoff berth tucked safely in its back pocket.

Sunday’s first pitch is also scheduled for 12 p.m.

Recent history would put Eric Chown and Keith Doherty on the hill tomorrow. Chown opened up the Minutemen’s doubleheader against St. Bonaventure last Saturday with a seven-hit, four-strikeout performance that earned him the 4-3 win. Doherty rolled in the second game, scattering four hits and giving up two earned runs en route to the 10-2 UMass victory.

Both pitchers threw complete games.

Freshman Matt Torra, the National Pitcher of the Week as voted on by the National College Baseball Writers Association, finished off the Bonnies with a three-hit shutout, striking out four in nine innings.

It’s safe to assume that the trio will once again take the starting duties, although sophomore Mike Crane’s perfect record and 3.80 earned run average certainly make him a candidate.

It’s unlikely that UMass coach Mike Stone would put Crane back on the hill this weekend though, as the Braintree, Mass. native battled mightily for 10 innings in his last start, giving up just five hits and two runs, but earning no decision.

Neither team has played since May 4, as yesterday’s UMass-Central Connecticut game was canceled due to rain, and the Hawks have had the week off.